Caught red-handed

Meaning

This means to be discovered in the act of doing something wrong, illegal, or mischievous. There is no room for denial because the evidence is physically present.

Direct, accusatory

Used in a sentence

• He was trying to steal the cookies from the jar when I caught him red-handed.
• The employee was caught red-handed embezzling funds from the drawer.
• She tried to lie about who ate the cake, but I caught her red-handed with frosting on her nose.